International Indie Music: my favorite April 2023 releases

Enjoy my favorite picks released in March 2023, in chronological order!

"NIGHT MUSIC" - Faeya - Canada (released on April 1st)

Vulnerable and raw, riveting and real, Faeya is a multi-talented singer and songwriter. The Canadian songbird is finding early success in her ethereal ballads, having culminated streams in over 60 countries. Her striking, piano-driven, cinematic style pushes the boundaries of songwriting for Faeya, giving her an instrumentation edge among the peers with which she shares her genre. Combined with her profoundly poetic lyrics, Faeya pens the music that most of us would be too bashful, too reticent to reveal what is really churning inside our core. "Night music" was inspired by a Celtic myth: that fairies are deceitful and lure people into the woods with their beautiful music. This turned into a metaphor for naivety- how the most innocent of us see the world through rose-tinted glasses, expecting the best of everyone. I wrote it on the autoharp, a beautiful old folk instrument.

Instagram: @faeyamusic

"NEW DAY" - Scott Candlish - Melbourne, Australia (released on April 6th)

Melbourne based, singer-songwriter Scott Candlish shares honest, personal stories of vulnerability through a blend of indie-folk and rock music. Drawing on influences from a wide range of artists, Candlish uses notable falsetto and an intricate fingerstyle. Open and honest about his mental health, Candlish delivers raw and emotive soundscapes that reflect deeply in the innermost corners of his soul. He shares: "My newest single New Day is pretty much about getting to your lowest point where you've got nothing to lose and can start over. It follows my two earlier singles coherently where Forever in the Dark and Blue were leading up towards this point. New Day is another deeply honest and vulnerable song where I reflect on how much I'm beating myself up and allow a lot of the negative toxic energy consume me and I just want to break free from it all. In a way it's a song that allows me to let go and forget about it all, entering a new day and new way out. I'm a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, particularly Lindsey Buckingham so was pretty shattered when he was no longer part of the band. His fingerstyle playing has definitely been the root of a few tunes and New Day is definitely one of them, there's a bit of a Rhiannon reference there".

Instagram: @scottcandlishmusic

"I HOPE IT'S ME" - Dream Collective - UK (released on April 7th)

Dream Collective started writing songs together in late 2019 pulling together disparate influences such as The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, The Clash, Arctic Monkeys, Paul Simon, The Beatles, The Jesus & Mary Chain and The Strokes. Through this and the desire to explore all the genres you might find in their record collection, they’ve offered up a varying palette of sonic meanderings on their releases to date. Calling back to bands of the 60s and 70s, each member of Dream Collective isn’t confined to a singular ‘band’ role. They all write, they all play and they all sing. Throw in the help and support of the wider Dream Collective family with production, artwork and photography, and it’s truly Collective by name, collective by nature! Their debut EP, Heartfelt Messages To The Wrong People, is coming soon and it combines the above influences with everything they’ve put in to their previous releases to create the first statement piece from the band. "I Hope It’s Me", is specifically influenced by Talking Heads, The Clash, John Lennon, The Velvet Underground and 70s Rolling Stones. They say: "It’s the lead single off our debut EP, which is coming soon. The EP is four tracks which encompass a lot of our influences as well as the sound we’ve forged for ourselves, and we did all the production, mixing, artwork and photography between us with help from friends - that DIY feel is important to us."

Instagram: @dreamcollectiveband

"BURN THE BOATS" - Christian Larsmon - UK (released on April 14th)

Burn The Boats is the new single from Christian Larsmon’s upcoming EP "Dark Before The Dawn". The song explores the journey of a person feeling stuck in a life they are not happy with because they do not have the courage to pursue their passion. The song then takes the listener on the journey of finding the courage to step into their fear and go after their dream. Christian hopes the song inspires people to stop listening to the negative voice in their head, to have faith just go for it because life is too short! 2023 will see Christian Larsmon release his second EP "Dark Before The Dawn". The EP showcases his versatility as a songwriter as well as his multiple inspirations, from melancholic acoustic guitars and strings based "The Other Side", to Foo Fighter-esque rock anthems with swirling guitars like "In Your Element". His five track EP will take you on a journey of going through mental health struggles and coming out on the other side of it to find oneself again. Christian ́s soulful yet gritty vocals and his authentic storytelling are bound to make him the brightest star in the rock/singer-songwriter genre.

Instagram: @christianlarsmonmusic

"FATHER, OH FATHER" - Meghan Pulles - Nashville, Usa (released on April 14th)

Meghan Pulles reigns as an emo-positive singer-songwriter who heals the world through her lyrical lens. The Nashville based artist has touched fans across the globe with her music: taking her listeners on a cathartic journey of mental and emotional healing and wellness. She shares: "I’m releasing a new album called “ear baby” this year, and the first single off of it called "father, oh father". This song is a song about many things; wondering where faith is when you need it the most in your hardest times, it’s also a commentary on religious trauma and how so many of us have an issue stepping foot into christianity or religion due to our bad past experiences or not feeling welcome. This song is about being on your knees in your weakest moment and realizing that there is something bigger than you could ever know that might be able to show you the light, and it’s about feeling helpless and alone when life is nothing but suffering, and wondering if anyone is actually listening to you".

Instagram: @meghanpullsmusic

"COULD WE LAST THAT LONG" - Alex Dolphin - Toronto, Canada (released on April 15th)

Alex Dolphin is a multi-instrumentalist from Toronto, ON. Spending most of his childhood teaching himself guitar, drums and piano. Musically influenced by artists such as; Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Gordon Lightfoot and many popular artists from the 60s-80s. These acts have now become part of his own writing style. After high-school he enrolled in a 'Music Industry Arts' program to educate himself on production, composition and recording. Alex has created many of his own solo works and involved himself in group projects influenced by the sounds of Rock, Alternative and Funk. 4 years later, after taking hiatus, he is back and more determined than ever. He finally began his solo act in 2022, based around his creative outlet, where he can share his emotions and experiences. With a familiar sound of folk, pop and alternative, he plans on releasing many original songs this year and begin performing once again.

Instagram: @alexdolphinmusic

"THE SEA" - Dom Malin - Birmingham, UK (released on April 21st)

Dom Malin has built his life around music. From acquiring his first electric guitar at the age of 12 - it was written in the stars, he was meant to be a musician! About "The Sea", Dom shares: "I poured my heart and soul into this project and I can't wait for you to hear it. I explored the power of conversation and how it can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. The conversational verses emphasize the simplicity of communication and how it can make a huge difference in our lives. However, the chorus asks a tough question that we all ask ourselves at some point: if we had another chance, would we do things differently? It's a poignant question that reflects on the past and the decisions we've made. It's a thought-provoking moment that I delve into in this song".

Instagram: @dommalinmusic

"BETTER" - Jenna Kearns - Wales, UK (released on April 28th)

"Better" is the latest single from disabled Welsh Singer/Songwriter Jenna Kearns. Co-written with hotly tipped singer/songwriter Joe Dolman and produced by Elliot Vaughan. ‘Better’ is about feeling worthless, and how nothing hurts more than trying your best and still not feeling good enough. It was during lockdown where "Better" was written at her lowest. The song is a heart wrenching indie pop ballad and gives the listener a deep personal insight into her life; centered around a profoundly dark time with her own mental health. South wales songwriter cries out "Would I be better, Better when I’m Someone else" talking about how she felt as though herself was not good enough, and that she needed to be someone else to be accepted. Speaking about the track Jenna says, "This song is about a compilation of situations, relationships that inevitably broke me, no matter what I tried to do I did not feel worthy and that I would never live to make myself happy – but rather please others. This song to me represents an emotion that I still battle with every day, but by sharing my story I hope others can know they aren’t alone". The raw, emotional, and uncensored lyrics are front and centre of the song and backed with a simplistic but moving production by Elliot Vaughan. Elliot builds from a simple piano base to a beautiful, moving string quartet that brings the emotions of the song to life.

Instagram: @jennakearnsmusic

"NO PLACE LIKE THIS" - Liz Lieber - New York City, Usa (released on April 28th)

With her velvet alto vocals and more hair than she knows what to do with, Liz Lieber is an NYC-based singer-songwriter known for her lush, soulful sound. Influenced by artists like Carole King, Sara Bareilles, and Amy Winehouse, she brings a unique blend of honesty and sass to her music. Liz discovered her musical passions at a young age, starting piano lessons in first grade and adding voice lessons three years later. With a mission to spread her love of harmonies and catchy hooks around the world, Liz continues to captivate audiences with her powerful voice and infectious energy. You can catch Liz performing live weekly on Facebook and TikTok, as well as sharing fresh tunes across her social media pages. About "No Place Like This", Liz shares: "If you have ever experienced a love that makes you feel at home…or you just really like The Wizard of Oz, then you may enjoy this one".

[I had the honor to draw the cover artwork for this and this makes this song even more special to me! - Laura]

Instagram: @lizrosesings

"THE WAY YOU LOVE ME" - Confidential - UK (released on April 28th)

Following a self-imposed exile from the creative world and periods of depression and self-doubt, UK-based lofi bedroom pop artist Confidential began releasing instrumental music in summer 2020. Despite never having sang a note in his life, Confidential started recording himself singing over his beats, and released his first full-vocal single in June 2022. The Way You Love Me marks the fourth full-vocal release from Confidential and second of 2023. It has been released via Indie Space Records. The ever-busy singer-songwriter focuses on an abusive relationship he endured for 18 months, something which still haunts him to this day, stating: "I missed a lot of red flags, but I was emotionally manipulated so easily that even when I spotted red flags or found out I was being cheated on, it would be me who was apologising. I’d keep coming back to her, time and time again. I was made to feel completely isolated and worthless, and my abuser would tell me how much she loved being able to wrap me round her little finger. It’s a big relief to finally be able to speak up and tell my side of the story".

TikTok: @confidential_lofi

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